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Trump Administration Revokes Legal Status for 530,000 Migrants
In a significant policy shift, the administration of former President Donald Trump announced plans to rescind the temporary legal status for approximately 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as indicated in a notice published in the Federal Register. This decision, which will take effect on April 24, marks a further intensification of Trump’s efforts to enforce stricter immigration measures.
The revoked status had been part of a two-year “parole” initiative established under President Joe Biden, which permitted these migrants to enter the United States by air with sponsorship from U.S. citizens. Trump’s administration has consistently criticized the entry programs initiated by his predecessor, asserting that they exceeded federal legal limits and calling for their termination through an executive order issued on January 20.
On March 6, Trump indicated that a decision regarding the parole status of 240,000 Ukrainians, who fled to the U.S. amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, would be made “very soon.” This disclosure followed a report suggesting that the administration was contemplating revocation for Ukrainians as early as April, illustrating a broader reassessment of migrant statuses under the Trump administration.
In contrast, Biden introduced a parole program in 2022 for Venezuelans, later extending similar measures to Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans in an effort to address the surge of illegal immigration from these countries. These developments took place amid challenging diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the affected nations.
Biden’s administration has aimed to reduce illegal border crossings while providing new legal pathways for migrants seeking entry into the U.S. The revocation of legal protections for these half a million individuals raises concerns, as many could face deportation if they choose to remain in the country without alternative legal status.
According to a notice scheduled for formal publication on Monday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the removal of parole status is intended to streamline the process for placing these migrants into expedited removal procedures. This expedited removal process can be applied to certain migrants who have been in the U.S. for two years or less, following a policy established during Trump’s presidency.
The implications of this move could significantly alter the lives of those affected, heightening anxiety among migrant communities and reshaping the immigration landscape in the United States.
Source
www.yahoo.com